Four movies you need to see this winter

Summer blockbuster season is great, sure, but winter is the best time to go to the cinema. It’s cold outside and there’s nothing more appealing that sitting inside in the warm, gorging yourself on popcorn, while someone else does all the hard work on screen. There are plenty of cinematic treats in store between now and the end of 2016.

Here are four to watch with your best mates.

Doctor Strange – October 25

The Marvel cinematic universe has already given us so many delights – The Avengers, Guardians Of The Galaxy, that massive fight in the last Captain America movie – and now comes perhaps its most outlandish entry yet. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Doctor Stephen Strange, a neurosurgeon who is seriously injured in a terrible car accident. In a rather unusual process of recuperation, he learns magic from an ancient being (Tilda Swinton) and discovers a secret world of mystic oddness. Should be a kick. The supporting cast includes Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mads Mikkelsen.

Bad Santa 2 – November 25

Thirteen years ago, a little film called Bad Santa set out to balance out all those mawkish Christmas movies with a festive tale of thievery and cynicism. And lo, it was hilarious and became a big cult hit. It looks like the sequel will be more of the same, and that’s a very good thing. Billy Bob Thornton returns as a grizzled conman, who this time is looking to knock off a Chicago charity on Chrismas Eve. Merry Christmas, everybody!

Bleed For This – December 2

Playing a boxer can be a defining moment for an actor. Think of Sylvester Stallone in Rocky or Robert De Niro in Raging Bull. Perhaps it’s that combination of brutal physicality and raw emotion required to play men whose self-worth rests on their ability to hit harder than someone else. In Bleed For This, it’s Miles Teller’s turn to step up. The Whiplash star plays Vinny Paz, a fighter whose neck is broken in a car accident. He’s told he may never walk again, let alone fight, but he refuses to accept that his time in the ring is up. Don’t be surprised if this winds up as an awards season favourite.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – December 16

It’s the big one. After the glorious return of the Star Wars saga last year with The Force Awakens, comes a film that might be considered an experiment in the Star Wars universe. Rogue One is not another chapter in the core Skywalker-centric story, but a spin-off about the pilots who risked their lives to steal the plans to the Death Star, which was so memorably blown up in the first movie. It’s mostly new characters, with Oscar nominee Felicity Jones playing the rebellious leader of the pilots, but a certain wheezing, helmeted bad guy will return. Name rhymes with Garth Raider.

Keep it Classic

Now that going to see a film has become a full night out, it’s an event you want to dress well for. You want to be stylish but comfortable, which is a look the new collection from Tu has nailed, with its smart-casual shirts that can be worn alone or layered with T-shirts, classic jumpers and a selection of good-fitting jeans and chinos.